How good was the Nakamichi Dragon?

[CRJCapt]

UPDATE: Just got back from the city with my son. Found a near mint RX-202 on E-Bay for 250 Buy It Now. Has new belts and a new roller.

What a piece of art. Just beautifully made and a joy to operate. Playing some pre-recorded tapes.

Obviously not cutting edge sound because I have a new DAC and digital is getting really good lately but I can see the appeal. Have to make some tapes and see what it can do!!!

This is the video that was on the E-Bay ad.

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRdYvioM7kA[/ame]

[SX-626]

Originally Posted by CRJCapt

UPDATE: Just got back from the city with my son. Found a near mint RX-202 on E-Bay for 250 Buy It Now. Has new belts and a new roller. What a piece of art. Just beautifully made and a joy to operate. Playing some pre-recorded tapes. Obviously not cutting edge sound because I have a new DAC and digital is getting really good lately but I can see the appeal. Have to make some tapes and see what it can do!!! This is the video that was on the E-Bay ad. Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRdYvioM7kA

I remember the first time that I saw one of those at a friend's house in the Quad Cities. Magical. I got a BX-300 instead and still have it and use it every month. Congrats and thanks for the memory!

[CRJCapt]

Oh wait..............PUMP THE BRAKES................just found a copy of Wicked Game.

I can see why they have this reputation....................

[Vintage Pete]

Originally Posted by pete6737

One of the first memories I have as a budding audiophile in junior high was reading about the Nakamichi Dragon in Stereo Review. I daydreamed of owning one. Sadly I never owned one. I did own a Nakamichi Dragon car stereo for a short time , then I traded it for the newest thing, an Alpine CD player. Been chasing the audio bug since.

I still have the April 1983 issue of Stereo Review, in which the Dragon was featured in the Equipment test reports. One I read that review, it was all over for me....I just had to have one. That dream didn't come true until 1996 (or maybe it was 1997).

As I already said, although my Dragon doesn't work, I can't let it go. A couple of years ago I acquired a rebuild kit specifically for the Dragon, complete with numerous belts and about 10 pages of instructions. I've tackled a good number of very tricky repairs in my time, but even I'm a bit afraid to attempt this one. The machine has issues beyond worn belts-the lamps that keep the machine running (part of the automatic stop sensor system) are both burned out, and accessing one of them appears just slightly less challenging than landing a man on the moon. Having said that, it's likely best that the machine be overhauled by a truly qualified technician....and I know this isn't going to be cheap.

I must say that this thread is really getting my juices flowing once again to get my Dragon back up to speed...it's truly an awe-inspiring vintage component, in the same league as my McIntosh MR78 tuner (in fact, my Dragon still resides right on top of my MR78).

I also have two other Nakamichi machines in my office-a BX-1 and a BX-2. I replaced the idler tires in them when I got them, but they're still a bit cranky from non-use.

If I hadn't just shelled out a pretty good sum for an Oppo Blu-Ray player (and another on the way), I might be boxing up my Dragon for a trip to the repair center. It will still have to wait a bit longer, but I think it's safe to say that this item has just moved up a notch or two in my queue of system goals...

[multiham]

Originally Posted by Vintage Pete

I still have the April 1983 issue of Stereo Review, in which the Dragon was featured in the Equipment test reports. One I read that review, it was all over for me....I just had to have one. That dream didn't come true until 1996 (or maybe it was 1997).

As I already said, although my Dragon doesn't work, I can't let it go. A couple of years ago I acquired a rebuild kit specifically for the Dragon, complete with numerous belts and about 10 pages of instructions. I've tackled a good number of very tricky repairs in my time, but even I'm a bit afraid to attempt this one. The machine has issues beyond worn belts-the lamps that keep the machine running (part of the automatic stop sensor system) are both burned out, and accessing one of them appears just slightly less challenging than landing a man on the moon. Having said that, it's likely best that the machine be overhauled by a truly qualified technician....and I know this isn't going to be cheap.

I must say that this thread is really getting my juices flowing once again to get my Dragon back up to speed...it's truly an awe-inspiring vintage component, in the same league as my McIntosh MR78 tuner (in fact, my Dragon still resides right on top of my MR78).

I also have two other Nakamichi machines in my office-a BX-1 and a BX-2. I replaced the idler tires in them when I got them, but they're still a bit cranky from non-use.

If I hadn't just shelled out a pretty good sum for an Oppo Blu-Ray player (and another on the way), I might be boxing up my Dragon for a trip to the repair center. It will still have to wait a bit longer, but I think it's safe to say that this item has just moved up a notch or two in my queue of system goals...

I'm in the same position. I've had some issues with my Dragon for a couple of years. Every time I get ready to get it serviced, something else comes up. Last night I reached out to the 3 most talked about service centers/individuals to see what their back-log and estimated costs are. I think I'm going to get it done this time!

[Vintage Pete]

Originally Posted by multiham

I'm in the same position. I've had some issues with my Dragon for a couple of years. Every time I get ready to get it serviced, something else comes up. Last night I reached out to the 3 most talked about service centers/individuals to see what their back-log and estimated costs are. I think I'm going to get it done this time!

multiham....I'd be interested to know who those service centers are, and what the estimated costs might be. Send me a PM if you like...

[jdandy]

Pete.......Take a look at these websites. Willy Herman has been working on Nakamichi cassette decks since the 1970's. He was trained by Nakamichi America when this equipment was new. willyhermannservices.com

Also take a look at Electronic Service Labs. That is where I had the spool upgrade done on my CR-7A. They are widely known as a premier Nakamichi repair center. eslabs.com/nakamichi.htm

[CRJCapt]

OK....................doing some serious listening now. Here we go.

IMO..................Every format has flaws. The truth is digital wins in the end because of the HUGE convenience factor...................and............it's mostly FREE!!!!

My kids don't own any CD's.

Tape seems to remind me of the days long ago when recorded music has intrinsic value..........

This is a great interview, and they talk about how much different things are now.

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V30EHamp6fY&list=PL-L3dPqLq3OBS17RWvDe8Wvpsj3EUIjmx&index=13[/ame]

[CRJCapt]

Found all my old tapes in storage.

It really has no business sounding as good as it does............

[CRJCapt]

Just found a TDK SA-X tape I made of Joe Satrianis' "Surfing with the Alien." back when it was new.

I'm starting to think digital music is fatally flawed..................